Definition of an Industrial Servo Motor

Assembly lines use servo motors to control manufacturing processes.

The control of automated industrial equipment for manufacturing often requires precise speeds and positioning. Servo motors provide automated equipment the speed and motion control necessary to function efficiently and reliably.

Motors

The speed of direct current (DC) motors is easily controlled, making them the most widely used motors for this type of industrial application. Servo motors are controlled by programmable motor controllers which receive information from feedback devices.

Controllers

Servo controllers control the servo motor's movement. They govern how fast the motor turns and start, stop and reverse it as necessary. The controller uses feedback devices to determine how to act on the motor.

Feedback

Tachometers indicate rotational speed. If the servo is going too fast or too slow, the controller changes the speed. Encoders inform the controller of the motor shaft's exact position. The controller can start the motor and stop it when it reaches a programmed position.

Definition

Servo motors move automated machinery using feedback from the machinery to control the motion of the machinery. Example: A machine that fills soda bottles can fill one bottle every second. A servo motor controls the conveyor that carries the bottles. The controller adjusts the speed of the servo motor so that a new bottle is presented to the filling machine every second. A feedback device tells the controller if the conveyor is moving too fast or too slow.

References

• Baldor Electric Company: Servo Control Facts - A Handbook Explaining the Basics of Motion

Resources

• Control Technology Corporation: PID and Servos